Author Topic: VAC SYS DISCONTINUED? (Read 117842 times)

Rollin22Petes · « **on:** December 03, 2021, 01:15 PM »

Does anybody know the official word on this, Toolnut says its permanently dicontinued as of December 1, others say its not orderable, and even others show a ship date of January or Feburary. I was finally going to purchase one and this happens just my luck. Does anyone know of a good alternative ? Thanks, Chris

Packard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:28 PM »

I don't know this company, but they are still offering it.

https://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/FS203148/?dfw_tracker=111965-2694&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Oiw4aDI9AIV2f_jBx05dAe7EAYYBCABEgKGWvD_BwE

DynaGlide · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:31 PM »

I'm pretty surprised by this - was there an announcement? This is their best tool as it is useful to any woodworker regardless of their Festool affiliation.

Packard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:33 PM »

Rockler offers a vacuum clamping system: https://www.rockler.com/rockler-vacuum-clamp-pod-kit. The vacuum pump is sold separately.

This google search shows others including Lee Valley, Infinity Tools, etc. Surf:

https://www.google.com/search?q=vacuum+clamping+system&client=firefox-b-1-d&ei=XWGqYZvZEqGbptQPybSEuAs&ved=0ahUKEwjb-6fhoMj0AhWhjYkEHUkaAbcQ4dUDCA0&uact=5&oq=vacuum+clamping+system&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIGCAAQFhAeMgkIABDJAxAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB46BwgAEEcQsAM6EQgAEOoCELQCEIoDELcDEOUCOgQIABBDOgUIABCRAjoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQowI6CwguEIAEEMcBEKMCOggILhCABBCxAzoOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQ0QM6DQguELEDEMcBEKMCEEM6BwgAELEDEEM6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABDJAxCRAjoICAAQgAQQyQM6BwgAEIAEEAo6CAghEBYQHRAeOgUIIRCgAToECAAQDToGCAAQDRAeOgkIABDJAxANEB46CAgAEA0QBRAeSgQIQRgASgQIRhgAUMcDWMJGYM9JaAdwAngAgAGFAYgB9BCSAQQyNS4ymAEAoAEBsAEKyAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

DynaGlide · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:37 PM »

Yeah I know you can cobble something together with other company's products. I just like the robustness of the Vac Sys pivoting head.

Rollin22Petes · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:38 PM »

Yeah it kinda surprised me also, no announcement that know of. I've seen some of the systems Packard referred too but they just don't offer the versatility of the Vac sys especially the pivoting heads.

elfick · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:39 PM »

I suspect it's just an error as right underneath the discontinued notice is a notice that states: "Pre-Order - Ships on January 24, 2022 - Subject to Change"

It's still listed on the Festool USA site.

I'm sure @Shane Holland can clarify.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:40 PM »

Quote from: elfick on December 03, 2021, 01:39 PM

I suspect it's just an error

Here's hoping. I always tell people if I had to keep only one Festool, it'd be the vac sys. I use it on every project.

elfick · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:44 PM »

It may be that Festool is no longer including VAC SYS SE 2 in 203149. I see the VAC SYS SE 2 listed on the Toolnut site but not on the Festool site as being part of that SKU.

Rollin22Petes · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:52 PM »

It is a bit confusing hopefully Shane or somebody at Festool can shed some light on the situation. I order a lot of stuff from Highland woodworking as there so close it's only a one day ship, and they have taken the sets,the pumps,and the heads completely off there site.

Shane Holland · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:55 PM »

Some dealers may have inventory in stock or in transit, but we are sold out of the VAC-SYS with the exception of one of the head units.

The official word from FUSA is...

Quote

Due to continued supply chain pressure, Festool is permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production and final inventory is in transit to North America.

Rollin22Petes · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2021, 01:59 PM »

Not what I wanted to hear, but Thanks for the clarification.

ChuckS · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2021, 02:07 PM »

My local Lee Valley still has limited quantities of the system/set available. But their website is still taking US/Canadian orders for delivery expected in Dec. and Jan., apparently drawing from the inventory that's in transit to N.A.

I had been eyeing this sys for a while, but decided that it doesn't match the way I work.

squall_line · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2021, 02:49 PM »

Another line item in the list of tools I'm glad I purchased this year, but also a bit worried because now it's a orphan/unicorn.

See also: CMS Router Table.

jonnyrocket · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2021, 03:25 PM »

This is one of those tools that la hard to fully appreciate how great it is until you start using it. I picked up the basic version on the recon site 2 years ago and have been considering getting the second head for it.

fignewton · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2021, 03:28 PM »

Quote from: Shane Holland on December 03, 2021, 01:55 PM

Some dealers may have inventory in stock or in transit, but we are sold out of the VAC-SYS with the exception of one of the head units.

The official word from FUSA is...

Quote
Due to continued supply chain pressure, Festool is permanently phasing out our Vac-Sys Clamping Systems. All major Vac-Sys components have permanently ceased production and final inventory is in transit to North America.

Holy crapola! I'd been waiting for them to come back in stock somewhere to order and now this.

I wanted one and the different head set to go with it.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2021, 03:31 PM »

Quote from: jonnyrocket on December 03, 2021, 03:25 PM

This is one of those tools that la hard to fully appreciate how great it is until you start using it. I picked up the basic version on the recon site 2 years ago and have been considering getting the second head for it.

I've never found a need for the 2nd head. Now i'm considering one, just in case?

Gerald_D · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2021, 03:40 PM »

Wow- this is surprising. This has become an invaluable tool in my shop. I have both heads and, while I don’t use the SE-2 often, it does get used.

Hope if you are looking that you are able to find before they are no longer available.

Regards,
Gerald

Cheese · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2021, 04:46 PM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 03, 2021, 03:31 PM

I've never found a need for the 2nd head. Now i'm considering one, just in case?

Better sooner than later Matt...TN had 2 of them in stock, they now only have one left.

MrToolJunkie · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2021, 05:47 PM »

Wow...I agree, this tool is invaluable.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2021, 06:07 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on December 03, 2021, 04:46 PM

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 03, 2021, 03:31 PM
I've never found a need for the 2nd head. Now i'm considering one, just in case?

Better sooner than later Matt...TN had 2 of them in stock, they now only have one left.

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount @Cheese

Cheese · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2021, 10:29 PM »

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 03, 2021, 06:07 PM

I'll hold out for the discontinued discount @Cheese

Nicely played Matt..

Stan Tillinghast · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2021, 11:13 PM »

Well, thanks again for the heads up, gentlemen.
I've ordered from Lee Valley, backordered but expected 12/13/21.
This was already on my next to buy list, thanks to the recommendations of all of you.

Bob D. · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2021, 05:19 AM »

I was not in the market for the Vac-Sys but I am sad to see it disappear from the ranks of the exceptional Festool product line.

For those that have one or one on order from that last remaining stock, I wonder what the support situation is now. If they can't source enough parts to build new where will they get parts to maintain systems previously sold.

I don't know if there are any consumable items, but the seal around the perimeter seems like something that could be damaged during use or may require replacement from time to time. Hoses, O-rings, and that sort should be easy enough to find alternate sources for if need be.

If there are wear parts or consumables it might pay to assess future need and stock up if/while you still can.

Or maybe @Shane Holland can shed light on what the spare parts situation might be going forward.

Vondawg · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2021, 07:09 AM »

I was thinking the same thing…how does one fix or get parts in the future

manuc · « **Reply #25 on:** December 04, 2021, 07:29 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on December 03, 2021, 10:29 PM

Quote from: DynaGlide on December 03, 2021, 06:07 PM
I'll hold out for the discontinued discount @Cheese

Nicely played Matt..

I’m not sure if these will be discounted given the limited stock. Similar to the router table. I ordered a second head unit since I wanted one but thought I would have more time…

jhall · « **Reply #26 on:** December 04, 2021, 08:08 AM »

I noticed the vac sys was mia at the festool live on Friday. I wonder if that means they have to go back to a time without. My understanding of discontinued tools is they keep a supply of parts for repair for some time.

Crazyraceguy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 04, 2021, 08:50 AM »

That's funny. Yesterday was the first time that I actually wished I had one in the shop. I was doing some edgebanding, by hand, on some fairly small parts that had curved edges. They were too small to clamp from the surface and the curve going around a 90 angle made it impossible to clamp from the edges.
I ended up making a fixture to hold a MFK700 upside-down and stationary. This way I could move the parts over the tool, instead of the usual.
There have been other times when it would have been handy, but a work-around wasn't so big of a deal either. This time, it took as long to build the fixture as I actually needed to use it, but I will have it for future use, so not a big loss either.
Still would be nice to have a Vac-Sys though.

afish · « **Reply #28 on:** December 04, 2021, 09:38 AM »

I agree, The vac sys looks really handy for doing hand applied edge banding. I built my own vac sys and rarely use it. Just goes to show everyone is different I guess. I have went back and forth on buying one many times just to have and a few things turn me off from it. Id like that super narrow pod but it looks like I have to buy a whole kit which is pricey and the rubber cups if or when the rubber dries, cracks etc. is like 70 bucks each and I could only find the part# for the main round pod. I didnt go into super sleuth mode but I did look for the others. Im not trying to get stuck with something that is unrepairable in the future. Im also not sold on the foot pedal. I know I could change that over to a switch like I use on my other stuff but... For now I just make my own simple vacuum pods that plug into the MFT holes if I need some vacuum clamping. They are easy to make and the rubber cord probably only cost 70 cents not 70 bucks. The vac sys is still a nice system though. I wouldnt buy the pump though. I know its quiet but I dont need or want some motor that is running continuously. My old senco air compressor is converted into a vacuum pump and sits there silently holding about 25" of mercury 24/7 and only cycles when needed. I would probably put the 700 towards a vacupress pump

ChuckS · « **Reply #29 on:** December 04, 2021, 10:05 AM »

Not that I want this product, but I find it hard to understand the given reason for the discontinuation of this product. Supply chain issues affect all kinds of products including automobiles, and I know of no other products going into retirement with supply chain difficulties, a temporary condition, being stated as the justification. There should be more behind the story, which, of course, we probably won't know in the end.